The French technician, former coach of the Romanian, came to the aid of the former world number 1 suspended for four years for doping.
“I refuse to accept the four year suspension», hammered Halep on social networks by saying his “intention to appeal this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport», after the announcement of his sanction by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), the independent organization responsible for anti-doping in tennis, of his suspension for a positive test for a banned product, roxadustat , a molecule which stimulates the production of red blood cells and clified as an EPO in the regulations of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
On X, Patrick Mouratoglou expressed his anger at length in four points: “I cannot believe the decision that the ITIA took in the case of Simona. I am extremely shocked and have been throughout this year by the methods and behavior of an organization that is supposed to treat players fairly and try to establish the truth.
Here’s what I want to say today:
1/I know Simona’s integrity and I have no doubt that she has never taken any banned substances.
2/ I attended the entire two days of hearing with her and I cannot believe that the Tribunal reached this decision based on the evidence and arguments I heard.
3/ The procedure and the ITIA were totally unfair to Simona and this is totally unacceptable.
4/ I hope that Simona will prevail before the CAS which is the only court not controlled by the ITIA. I don’t believe the ITIA sought the truth in Simona’s case, and I don’t believe they handled her in an acceptable manner. I hope the WTA, ATP and PTPA will do their best to change a system that is destroying the careers of innocent players. »